Google plans to make Pixel smartphones in India

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According to Reuters, Google is considering shifting the production of some Pixel phones to India. The reason for the shift is due to the COVID-19 epidemic blockade in China, the impact of regional situations, etc. This is coming after initial reports that Google will move some of its Pixel smartphone production to Vietnam. Alphabet did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. However, Google is accepting bids from Indian manufacturers to produce 500,000 to 1 million Pixel smartphones. This is equivalent to 10 to 20 per cent of the device’s estimated annual production.

Google is yet to make a final decision

The report adds that Google CEO Sundar Pichai previewed plans for manufacturing in India earlier this year. However, the company did not take any final decision. If approved, Indian production operations will still need to import components from China. According to Nikkei Asia Review, Alphabet is also considering Vietnam as another manufacturing base. The company’s main smartphone rival, Apple, already manufactures at least four iPhone 13 models in India through contract partners Foxconn and Wistron. Apple is also reportedly considering producing the iPhone 14 series in India. Ming-Chi Kuo claims that the mass production of Apple’s iPhone 14 in India this year is still about 6 weeks behind China. Constrained by factors such as secrecy, Apple and Foxconn believe that it is unrealistic to produce the iPhone 14 in India and China simultaneously.

Global supply chains suffered partial disruptions earlier this year when cities such as Shanghai imposed lockdowns due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Google will hold an event in the United States on October 6 to release new Pixel phone models and its first Pixel Watch smartwatch. The Indian smartphone market is the second largest in the world. This makes the country a target for smartphone brands considering that the country emphasizes Made in India products.